Pelt stretching and drying frame



April 23, 1 929.

M. L. BLOOM 10,339

FELT STRETCHING AND DRYING FRAME Filed Dec. 18, 1926 siren STATES PATENT orFics.

MAX L BLOOM, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FELT STRETCHING AND DRYING FRAME.

Application filed December is, 1926.

This invention relates to a new and improved frame for stretching and drying pelts. The main. ObJGCt, of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character which is particularly adapted for use in. connection with small skins or pelts of animals such as muskrats and the like, and is so constructed and arranged that the pelt when applied to the frame will snugly lit thereover and be retained in proper position while the same is being dried, and at the same time prevent the pelt from shrinking or wrinkling during the drying process.

It has been found in. drying peltsof this character, particularly muskrat pelts, that the drying and stretching frames in use at the present time cause extensive stretching of the pelt at the neck portion, thus stretching this part of the pelt to such an e tent that after the same is dry it is comparatively thin and therefore does not give the same wear as the remaining portion of the pelt and in a great many instances has to be re moved entirely. It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a frame wherein the shape thereof will not impart any undue stretch to any portion of the pelt, but will receive thereover the pelt in such a way that the entire pelt will be stretched evenly throughout and that when the same is dry will be of uniform thickness, thus avoiding any waste parts in the pelt.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a pelt stretching and drying frame wherein the parts thereof may be quickly and readily contracted so that the pelts may be quickly applied to the frame and readily expanded to cause the pelt to fit tightly over the frame and at the same time provide means for retaining the pelt in proper position to prevent shrinkage or drying up of the pelt on the frame.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a pelt stretching and drying frame constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail section on the line of Fig. 1; and

Serial No. 155,622.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention, I provide two side portions 1 and 2 preferably formed with slight curved portions 3 adjacent their outer ends and pivotally connected as at 4. The side member 1 has its outer end extended beyond the pivot point and curved to form a hook 5 whereby the frame may be suspended from any suitable support.

The inner end of the side portion 2 is preferably flattened as shown at 6 and formed with an elongated opening 7, while the side portion 1 which is considerably longer than the side portion 2 is bent upon itself to form a loop 8 and thence extended transversely of the frame directly beneath the pivot 4: to form a transverse retaining bar 9. This bar 9 is formed in one face with a plurality of notches 10, each notch being formed with a perpendicular face 11 so that when the end portion of the opening 7 is engaged with the notch the perpendicular wall 11 will bear against one side of the flat portion 6 to prevent movement of the bar 9 through the opening 7 in one direction.

7 To those who are familiar with the art to which this invention pertains it will be obvious that when a pelt is arranged over the side portions 1 and 2, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the larger portion of the pelt will extend downwardly over the side portions and the curved portions 3, which are formed in the side portions to permit the outer ends of the said portions to converge, will readily accommodate the neck of the pelt and prevent undue stretching of the same. In arranging a pelt over the frame, it is obvious that the spaced ends thereof may be readily moved toward each other by disengaging the bar 9 from the flattened end 6, moving the side portions toward'one another and after the pelt has been properly positioned on the side portions, the outer or free ends of the side portions may be moved away from each other until the pelt has been stretched to a smooth, flat condition, one of the notches in the bar 9 being then engaged with one end of the opening -7 as shown in Fig. 2 to retain the side portions against movement toward each other. T his stretching of the pelt or spreading of the side portions may be readily accomplished due to the fact that the bar 9 is normally urged toward one side of the opening 7 due to the flexing of the loop 8 which is formed in the side portion 1 so that the bar will be positively engaged with the side portion 2 for retaining the pelt in its stretched or straightened condition.

In order to prevent the pelt, during its drying, from sliding or shrinkii'ig upwardly on the side portions 1 and 2, 1 provide means for holding the pelt in its proper position, said means including an elongated bar 12 formed with a longitudinal slot 13, one side wall of the slot being provided with a plurality of hooks 1% and adapted to enwith the bar 9 and one end of the bar 12 formed with a hook 15 which. will engage the fleshy part of the pelt at its rear end portlon as shown in Fig. 1, the hook being so constructed as not to penetrate the pelt but merely hook onto the fleshy portion thereof to retain the same against outward sliding movement on the side portions 1 and 2. It will be apparent from this that after the pelt has been arranged ii position on the frame, the hook 15 may be engaged therewith and the bar 12 moved over the bar 9 into an effective position and one of" the hooks 141- engage with the bar 9 to retain the bar 12 against inward movement so as to retain the pelt in its proper position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an improved pelt stretching and drying frame wherein the pelts will be evenly retained on the frame and be prevented from shrinking or wrinkling up, while at the same time the pressure of the frame is evenly distributed throughout the pelt so that all parts of the same will be of even thickness when thoroughly dry. Particular attention is directed to the curved portions 3 which cause the side portions 1 and 2 to be directed toward each other to provide for the proper width of frame to lit the neck portions of the pelts and so as notto unduly stretch the pelts at this point, which heretofore has been done and which causes an appreciable decrease in the value of the pelt due to this uneven drying of the same. It will be understood that the pelts w ich are arranged on the same are in a green state and are turned inside out so that the fur portion thereof is upon the interior and the fleshy side exposed, whereby the hook member 15 can be quickly engaged with this fleshy side so as to retain the body portion of the pelt against sliding up on the side portions 1 and 2. This particular type of stretching frame is especially adapted for use in stretching and drying the pelts of muskrats, although it i believed that the frame could be made of proper size for use on larger pelts if found desirable.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without de parting from the spirit of my invention;

hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned. V r

What 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A frame for stretching and drying pelts including a transverse bar, an elongated bar having a longitudinal slot to slidably receive the first bar, hooks formed. in one side of the slot, and a hook formed on the one end of the elongated bar.

2. A device of the character descirbed in cluding opposed side portions each having a slight curve therein adjacent its outer end to cause the ends to converge in overlapping relation, means pivotally connecting the ends at their overlapped ends, the free ends of said side portions being formed to adjustably engage one another, and the end of one side portion being extended beyond the pivot point and curved to form means whereby to suspend the device from its support.

3. A device of the character described including opposed side portions connected together and arranged in convergent relation at one end, one of said side portions having an opening through its end opposite the pivot point, the other side portion being longer and bent upon itself to form a loop and thence extended transversely to the first side portion and movable through the opening, and means forming locking engagement between the short side portion and the oute end of the transverse part of the longer side portion to retain said side portions in various positions relative each other.

1. A device of the character described'ineluding opposed side portions pivotally connected at one end, one of said side portions cing longer than the other with its end opposite the pivot point bent upon itself to form a li-shaped loop and thence extending transversely for cooperation with the free end of the otl or side portion, and means forming cooperative engagement between the transverse portion and the free end of' the short side portion to retain said side portions against movement in one direction.

5. In a do *ice of the character described, the combination of an elongated bar having its midportion bent upon itself to form a loop, with the free end thereof extending transversely, a depending bar loosely but adjustably mountedv on the transverse part and having an engaging part on one of its ends, and a cooperating bar pivotally connected to the first bar and adapted to ad just-ably engage said transversely extending end of said first bar.

signed my name.

MAX L. BLOOM. 

